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gunpowder  noun - an explosive consisting of a powdered mixture of saltpetre, sulphur, and charcoal, now chiefly used for quarry blasting and infuses and fireworks

potion  noun - a liquid with healing, magical, or poisonous properties

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Chinese scientists were the first to produce gunpowder in the IX century. They were not searching it but instead, they wanted to create a potion for eternal life. Since its inventing gunpowder brought a lot of suffering as it burned most of the houses of the people producing it. 

In the beginning, no one in China was aware of its ability to explode. They knew it was very flammable and used it for burning arrows and even flamethrowers to protect themselves from the invading Mongolians. Then Mongolians learned how to produce gunpowder and then it was brought to Europe and the rest of the world. Until the XIX century, people were not aware of any other explosive substance. 

Back then, like today, gunpowder was used to create fireworks. But the beautiful shapes in the sky were not the only thing gunpowder was capable of. It is responsible for enormous destruction almost everywhere in the world. 

Just like the invention of gunpowder, a lot of scientists in the Medieval ages made countless scientific breakthroughs while trying to create potions for eternal life, youth and turn everything into gold.

The tragic story of gunpowder.